37 Days – Discouragement Must Fall

Pastor Randy’s devotional:

He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:29-31

January 28^th  Prayer:

Lord, I thank You today that You renew my courage when I’m running low. You refresh my faith when I’m faith-fatigued. Lord I believe. Help my unbelief. Thank You that You don’t shame me for getting tired and weary. You renew my strength like an eagle and give me fresh courage for discouragement. I will wait upon You in worship today as You renew my hope, faith and courage. . . in Jesus’ name!

(Name the areas where you feel discouraged today.)

My thoughts:

One of my favorite scriptures as a younger man trying to press on in life.  To do lists, work projects, bills, family time, social time and staying on top of my Christian walk – it all adds up and often times becomes overwhelming. 

When I visited Israel for the first time back in 2001 (summer before 9-11) I recall driving through the countryside near Gilgal and En Gedi.  Our tour guide, Avi, motioned out into the mountainside to observe the rock formation rising from the parched land.  These rocks were in the perfect shape of Eagles wings, creating a perfect shadow in the shape of a soaring eagle covered the caves etched into the side of the mountain.  Can you imagine the time that David hid in those caves of En Gedi?  He had to be tired, weary and questioning his strength to carry on.  Saul was on the hunt for him, and he was on the run.  Yet, he found strength in the Lord to rise from that cave and sneak into Saul’s camp one night, and while Saul slept, David tore a piece from his clothing.  He then used this to demonstrate to Saul that he had no intention of harming him, for he could have the night before while he slept.

The Lord will provide the strength and lift you up when you think you can’t stand again.  An eagle can soar up to 2 miles in the air, (highest known flight), with grace, beauty and power.  When Isaiah mentions soaring on wings of eagles, he is bringing this image into the hearts of those who are struggling in their walk of faith.  Today we can be filled with this image as well, the image of a strong, confident, powerful and graceful eagle soaring through the sky without tiring and rising to heights that the Lord brings us to.

Be Blessed,

Rich

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He Carries Me

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“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power." – Isaiah 40:29

  Burned out, pulling all-nighters over and over again.  We push as hard as we can to move ahead, to get something more from life.  Is it working?  Where are your strengths?  Strong endurance, financial planning, cooking, helping others, mechanically inclined, athletic, counseling, lovingkindness, parenting, teaching, . . .   Where does your strength come from?  Did you create it, or did it evolve from within your personality?  How often are you using your strengths before you become weary, burned out and overwhelmed? 

  I was watching a tennis match this weekend.  The two men were playing for the championship and the game just kept going back and forth for what seemed like an hour or more.  At one point, one of the players hit the ball, fell to his knees in exhaustion and watched the ball land just inside of the boundary line.  After seeing the ball land in, he fell forward and collapsed.  After a moment, he rose to his feet and returned to the baseline with racquet in hand.  He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and tossed the ball straight above his head, jumping and serving; he hit a 140 mph serve right down the middle line, one bounce and right passed the opposing player for an ACE and the right to claim that game. 

  A second wind, a wave of energy comes over us when we hit the most trying times of our life.  That point when your brain tells your muscles that you can overcome the exhaustion and continue on.  That point when your spirit wells up inside with a competitive impulse to overcome.  That point when your heart pushes blood through your veins despite the heavy, labored breathing.  It’s amazing to me how much the human body can endure, when pushed with passion and conviction.

  Jesus Christ fell to His knees.  Hands bound and chained to a whipping pole in the courtyard of the Praetorium at the Fortress of Antonia, Jesus was flogged and scourged time and time again.  His body hanging limp, but the beatings continued.  Somehow, through the gauntlet of beatings, He was able to get His feet under Himself and lift His body back up again; and the beatings continued.  Miraculous strength and courage came over our Savior as He took the whipping and scourging that was destined for you and I.  Supernatually, He withstood everything they could pour out onto His flesh, and then was drug back to the dungeon before being presented to the people of Jerusalem.  He endured it all through the strength from His Father, because He knew His task was greater than the weakness of His flesh.

  God doesn’t get weary, nor does He sleep.  He can strengthen you and I in any situation we are in, because His power and love are infinite.  The more strength and love He pours into you, the more you are able to serve and love others.  Trust in Him to see you through your struggles and pains.  I promise, He has all the help you need.

 

             

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